Mining machine



Dec. 3, 3936 c P. BALDWIN MINING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES OFFICE llflNING MACHINE Massachusetts Application January 24, 1934, Serial No. 708,142

20 Claims.

This invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly to improvements in the adjusting mechanism for the cutting mechanism of a machine for mining coal.

9 An object of this invention is to provide an improved cutter adjusting mechanism fora coal mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved cutter adjusting mechanism of the type wherein a swinging arm structure is employed for moving the cutter into different cutting positions and having improved means for swinging the arm structure. A further object is to provide an improved arm structure swinging mechanism having a power actuated link mechanism for swinging the arm structure and havingassociated therewith improved means for obtaining a powerful swinging force at the initiation of the arm swing and when a purely link mechanism would be in its most disadvantageous position from the mechanical standpoint, the link mechanism coming into eiiect after the said means becomes ineifective. Yet another object is to provide an improved screw operated link mechanism i'or swinging the cutter supporting arm and having associted therewith improved cam means for initially swinging the arm. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown,

for purposes of illustration, several forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a coal mining machine having embodied therein one illustrative form of the improved cutter adjusting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing structural details of the cutter adjusting mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken through a portion of the cutter adjusting mechanism, the view being taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. v

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View .5 taken substantially on line 4- of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 55 oi Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. V is a similar view, showing another modified form of construction.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is view similar to Fig. 2, showing still another modified form of construction.

Fig. 10 is a detail view showing a portion of the. mechanism shown in Fig. 9.

In this illustrative .construction, the several modifications of the improved cutter adjusting mechanism, generally designated I, are shown 5 embodied in a coalcutting machine 2, herein of the adjustable cutter, fioor cutter type; although it will be evident that the improved cutter adjusting means may be embodied in mining ma--, chines of various other types. The machine 10 shown is of the same general character as that disclosed in a copending applicationof Morris P. Holmes, Ser. No. 707,321, filed Jan. 19; 1934, and generally comprises a bottom skid 3 adapted to I rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine15 floor and having pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement in a vertical direction relative thereto about a horizontal axis at 4, an arm structure 5. Rotatably mounted on the outer extremity of this arm structure is a cutter head 6 having its axis of rotation extending longitudinally of the arm structure, and having swingably mounted thereon at I a cutter support 8 which" carries a kerf cutter 9 of a usual design. This kerf cutter herein comprises a rigid plane cutter 5 bar In having mounted on its margin for circulation thereabout an endless cutter chain ll. vIn each form of the invention the improved cutter' adjusting means, that is, the means for swinging the arm structure relative to the skid to vary the cutting position of the kerf cutter, is herein dis-' posed between the bottom of the arm structure and the bottom skid, and is driven by the power, shaft l2 of the kerf cutter actuating and machine feeding motor carried by the arm structure. As 5 disclosed in the above mentioned application, the motor power shaft drives, through bevel gearing l3 and reverse gearing I4, a shaft [5, herein extending longitudinally of the arm structure beneath the latter and which constitutes the driv- 40 ing element for the cutter adjusting means.

Now referring to the improved mechanism for adjusting the arm structure relative to the bot tom skid, and more particularly to the illusf trative embodiment thereof shown in Figs. 2 to 5, 5" inclusive, it will be noted that driven by the shaft E5 is a screw shaft 29 jcurnaled at its ends within bearings supported by the arm structure beneath the latter and extending longitudinally of the arm structure. Mounted for rectilinear movement in a guideway 2| formed along the bottomof the arm structure and threadedly engaging the screw shaft 28, is an adjusting nut 22, herein in the form of a rectangular block having lateral trunnion pins 23, as shown in Fig. 5. Pivotally connected to these trunnion pins are side links 24, 24, herein arranged at opposite sides of the guideway 2| in the manner shown and pivotally connected to trunnion pins 25 formed on a crosshead shaft 26, herein guided within a longitudinal guideway 2! formed on the bottom skid and preferably arranged with its plane top and bottom surfaces parallel with the bottom plane surface of the skid. In the structure disclosed in the above mentioned Holmes application, similar screw and nut and link mechanism is disclosed, but in this instance there is provided means associated with the screw and link mechanism for initially swinging the arm structure, thereby to provide a powerful swinging force prior to the coming of the screw and link structure into effect, the initial swinging means delivering at least as great a proportion of the power which is applied thereto, in the form of support swing, as the final swinging means does during the first portion of the operation of the latter. This is due tothe fact that the power consumed in friction between the screw and the nut is comparatively great during the initial period of the operation of the final support swinging means, when the thrust on the nut has a large component parallel to the screw axis, while during operation of the initial swinging means the thrust component parallel to the screw axis is materially smaller. This improved means comprises cam-like projections 30 formed on the upper side of the links 24 and engageable with the inclined surfaces 3! of cam projections 32 formed on the bottom of the arm structure.

When the parts are in the full-line position shown in Fig. 2, with the links 24 at but a slight angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw shaft 26 and skid bottom, and it is desired to swing the arm structure upwardly with respect to the bottom skid, the shaft i5 is connected in driving relation with the motor power shaft I2, thereby to effect rotation of the screw shaft 20. Rotation of the screw shaft effects movement of the nut 22 rectilinearly in a forward direction along the guideway 2|, moving therewith the links 24, 24, the forward ends of the links connected to the crosshead shaft 26 sliding forwardly along the guideway 21 until the crosshead shaft 26 engages the extreme forward end of the guideway 21. As the links 24, 24 move forwardly, engagement of the cam projections 30 thereon with the inclined surfaces 3| of the cam projections 32 on the arm structure causes the arm structure to be swung upwardly about its pivot with a powerful wedging or cam action until the parts assume the first dotted-line position shown in Fig. 2. Upon engagement of the crosshead shaft of the forward extremity of the guideway 21, further bodily movement of the links 24,

24 is prevented, and as a result, upon further forward movement of the screw nut along the guideway 2| the links are swung upwardly about the axis of the cross head shaft 28 as a pivot, causing the cam projections 30, 32 to move upwardly away from each other until the parts assume the uppermost dotted-line position shown in Fig. 2.

In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 6, the screw and nut mechanism and link means are generally similar to those above described, but in this instance the links are provided with depending cam projections 35 at their lower sides which are engageable with inclined surfaces 36 of cam projections 31 projecting upwardly from the bottom of the skid. The operation of this form of the invention is generally the same as that above described, but in this instance when swinging movement of the arm structure is initiated, the cam projections 35 ride up on the inclined surfaces 36 of the cam projections 31.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the nut 38 engaging the screw shaft 233 is provided with depending arms 39 having trunnion pins 46 to which there are pivotally connected links 4!, the opposite ends of the links in turn being pivotally connected at 42 on a relatively fixed pivot to the bottom skid. These links are provided with an angularly disposed portion 43 having a slot 44 in which the trunnion pins 40 are guided. The rearward ends of these links 4| are provided with projections 45 engageable with the skid bottom when the parts are in their lowered position. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 7 and the screw shaft 20 is rotated, the nut 38 moves forwardly rectilinearly along the guideway 2|, and as the screw nut moves forwardly the trunnion pins 40 ride up along the inclined surfaces of the slots 44 of the relatively stationary links, the projections 45 of the links resting at that time on the skid bottom. When the trunnion pins 40 reach the extreme forward ends of the slots 44 and forward movement of the nut continues, the links 4| swing about their pivots 42 to complete the swinging movement of the arm structure.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the trunnion pins 23 of the nut 22 have pivotally connected thereto links 46, in turn pivotally connected at their forward ends to a trunnion shaft 41 guided in the longitudinal guideway 48 formed on the skid. These links have depending cam projections 49 engageable with inclined surfaces 50 of upstanding cam projections 5| formed on the skid bottom. A hook 52 pivotally mounted at 53 on the skid bottom and having an operating lever 54 is provided for engaging the crosshead shaft 41 for holding the latter in its extreme rearward position within the guideway 48. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 9, and the screw shaft 20 is rotated to move the nut 22 rearwardly rectilinearly within its guideway 2|, the cam projections 49 ride up along the inclined surfaces 50 of the cam projections 5|, the links 46 moving rearwardly with the crosshead shaft 41 sliding within its guideway 48. When the cam projections 49 reach the uppermost portions of the inclined surfaces 50 and the crosshead shaft 4'! is in its extreme rearward position within the guideway 48, the operator grasps the lever 54 and swings the hook 52 downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 10, looking the crosshead shaft against forward movement within its guideway 48. Upon reversal of movement of the nut 22, the links 46 swing about the then stationary crosshead shaft 41 as a pivot to complete the upward swinging movement of the arm structure. Upon reversal of the screw shaft 20, the parts are lowered until the cam projections 49 again come in contact with the inclined surfaces 56 of the cam projections 5|, the operator then releasing the hook 52, and upon reversal of movement of the nut 22 the parts are returned to their lowermost position shown.

In each form, the pins carried by the nuts should lie substantially above a line connecting the frame pivot and the link reaction pivot when the wedge or inclined plane action is at one end.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved cutter adjusting mechanism is provided wherein an auxiliary cam swinging mechanism is provided for the arm structure for efiecting initiation of arm swing prior to the coming into efiect of the screw operated link mechanism, the cam mechanism being effective when a purely link mechanism would be in its most disadvantageous position from the mechanical standpoint. It will further be noted that the improved swinging mechanism is of an extremely simple and rugged nature and of an exceedingly compact character and may be located within the relatively restricted space between the arm structure and bottom skid. These and other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described several modifications of the illustrative embodiment of applicants invention, it will be understood that these forms are shown for purposes of illustration only, and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, and mechanism for swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base including means for initially swinging said supporting means about its pivot, and additional means operative after said initial means becomes ineiiective for completing the swinging of said supporting means about its pivot, said initial and final swinging means including a member pivotally operatively connected to said supporting means, and means connected to said member for moving the latter relative to said base during both initial and final swinging of said supporting means.

2. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, cam means for initially swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base, and link mechanism for finally swinging said supporting means about its pivot, said link mechanism including a link pivotally operatively connected to said supporting means, said link cooperating with an element of said cam means during said initial swinging of said supporting means, and means connected to said link for moving the latter relative to said base during both initial and final swinging of said supporting means.

3; In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, means for initially swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base, and means for finally swinging said supporting means about its pivot, said final swinging means becoming effective to swing said supporting means about its pivot when said initial swinging means attains its extreme limit of swing, said initial and final swinging means including a member connected to said supporting means and movable to effect supporting means swing, and means connected to said memher for actuating the latter relative to said base during both initial and final swinging of said supporting means, said initial swinging means delivering at least as great a proportion of the power which is applied thereto, in the form of support swing, as the final swinging means does during the first portion of the operation of the latter.

4. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, means for initially swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base, and additional means for finally swinging said supporting meansabout its pivot, said final swinging means becoming efiective to swing said supporting means about its pivot when said initial swinging means attains its extreme limit of swing, said initial means being effective to swing said supporting means when said final means is inoperative, said initial and final swinging means including a member connected to said supporting means and movable to effect supporting means swing, and means connected to said member for actuating the latter relative to said base during both initial and final swinging of said supporting means. I

5.'In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, means for initially swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base, and additional means including link mechanism for finally swinging said supporting means about its pivot, said link mechanism becoming effective to swing said supporting means about its pivot only when said initial means attains its extreme limit of swing, said link mechanism including a link pivotally operatively connected to said supporting means, said link cooperating with an element of said initial swinging means during said initial swing, and means connected to said link for moving the latter relative to said base during both initial andfinal swinging of said supporting means.

6. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, means for ini-,

tially swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base, and means including link mechanism for finally swinging'said supporting means about its pivot, said link mechanism becoming effective to swing said supporting means about its pivot when said initial means attains its extreme limit of swing,'said initial means being effective to swing said supporting means with substantial mechanical advantage prior to the attainment by said link mechanism of a position reasonably advantageous from a mechanical standpoint, said link mechanism including a link pivotally operatively connected to said supporting means and cooperating with an element of said initial swinging means during said initial swing, and means connected to said link for moving the latter relative to said base during for adjusting said supporting means about its pivot including a bodily movable'element having cam means cooperating with relatively stationary cam means, said cam means cooperating to effect adjustment of said supporting means about its pivot with a powerful wedging action, said cam means: becoming ineffective after a predetermined swinging adjustment of the supporting means, and. means operative when said cam means attains its extreme limit of adjustment to complete the swinging movement of said supporting means. I

9. In combination,v a base, a swinging arm structure pivotally mounted on said base, mechanism for initially swinging said arm structure about its pivot relative to said base including a bodily movable element having a cam projection and a cooperating relatively stationary cam projection, and associated mechanism for finally swinging said arm structure about its pivot.

10. In combination, a base, .a swinging arm structure pivotally mounted on said base, mechanism for swinging said arm structure about its pivot relative to said base including a bodily movable element having a cam projection and a cooperating relatively stationary cam projection, said cam projections upon relative movement efiecting initial swinging of said arm structure about its pivot, and mechanism for further swinging the arm structure about its pivot when said cam means attains its extreme limit of adjustment.

11. In combination, a base, a swinging arm structure pivotally mounted on said base, mechanism for swinging said arm structure about its pivot relative to said base including a bodily movable element having a cam projection and a cooperating relatively stationary cam projection, said cam projections upon relative movement effecting initial swinging of said arm structure about its pivot, and link mechanism for further swinging the arm structure about its pivot when said cam means attains its extreme limit of adjustment, said cam means being operative to swing said arm structure when said link mechanism is in its most disadvantageous position from a mechanical standpoint.

12. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, and means for swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base including means for initially effecting swinging of said supporting means about its pivot and associated means for effecting final swinging of said supporting means about its pivot, said initial and final swinging means including an element movable to effect supporting means swing and operatively connected to said supporting means, said element common to both initial and final swing, and means connected to said element for actuating the latter relative to said base during both initial and final swinging of said supporting means.

13. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, and means for swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base including means for initially effecting swinging of said supporting means about its pivot and associated means for efiecting final swinging of said supporting means about its pivot, said final swinging means becoming effective to swing said supporting means about its pivot when said initial means attains its extreme limit of swing, said initial and final swinging means including an element pivotally operatively connected to said supporting means, and means connected to said element for moving the latter relative to said base during both initial and final swinging of said supporting means.

14. In combination, a base, adjustable supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, and means for adjusting said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base including means for initially effecting adjustment of said supporting means about its pivot and associated means for effecting final adjustment of said supporting means about its pivot, said final adjusting means becoming effective: to swing said supporting means about its pivot when said initial means attains its extreme limit of adjustment, said final means including a swinging link and said initial means including cam means including a cam element associated with said link.

15. In combination, a base, adjustable supporting means pivotally mounted on said base,

and means for adjusting said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base including means for initially effecting adjustment of said supporting means about its pivot and associated means for effecting final adjustment of said supporting means about its pivot, said final adjusting means becoming effective to swing said supporting means about its pivot when said initial means attains its extreme limit of adjustment, said final means including a swinging link and said initial means including cam means including a cam element associated with said link, said link initially having a bodily movement to effect operation of said cam means and thereafter having a final swinging movement, and means for bodily moving and swinging said link.

16. In combination, a base, an arm pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto, said arm overlying said base, and mechanism arranged beneath said arm and interposed between said arm and said base for swinging said arm about its pivot relative to said base including means for initially adjusting said arm about its pivot and additional means operative after said initial means hecomes ineffective for completing the swinging movement of said arm, said initial and final adjusting means including an element common to both initial and final adjustment of said arm and said element mounted to swing with said arm during said initial and final adjustment thereof.

17. In combination, a base, an arm pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto, said arm overlying said base, and mechanism arranged beneath said arm and interposed between the latter and said base for swinging said arm about its pivot relative to said base and having an actuating prime mover mounted on said arm to swing therewith, said mechanism including means actuated by said prime mover for initially swinging said arm about its pivot, and additional means likewise actuated by said prime mover and operative after said initial means becomes ineffective for completing swinging of said arm.

18. In combination, a base, an arm pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto, said arm overlying said base, and mechanism arranged beneath said arm and interposed between said arm and said base for swinging said arm about its pivot relative to said base including means for initially adjusting said arm about its pivot, and final adjusting means operative after said initial means becomes ineffective for completing the swinging movement of said arm, said initial .and final adjusting means including adjusting elements mounted on the bottom of said arm to swing therewith, and said initial swinging means delivering at least as great a proportion of the power which is applied thereto, in the form of support swing, as the final swinging means does during the first portion of the operation of the latter.

19. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, means for initially swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base including a bodily movable element having cam means cooperating with cam means on said base, said cam means cooperating to effect initial swinging of said supporting means about its pivot with a powerful wedging action, and associated means for finally swinging said supporting means about its pivot.

20. In combination, a base, supporting means pivotally mounted on said base, means for initially swinging said supporting means about its pivot relative to said base including a bodily movable element having cam means cooperating with cam means on said base, said cam means cooperating to effect initial swinging of said supporting means about its pivot with a powerful wedging action, and associated means for finally swinging said supporting means about its pivot.

CLYDE P. BALDWIN. 

